Photo: Hyundai
Hyundai announced changes to the entire Ioniq family late last year. This is part of a mid-life refresh, which for the all-electric Ioniq means an increase in horsepower, a 37% jump in range, but also a massive price bump.
Let's start with the bad news. Including destination, the car now stickers for $34,000, which is a $2,750 increase over the 2019 model year. And that's just the normal trim level. Many people will opt for the posher Ioniq Limited which stickers for $39,610.
But both trim levels get the same powertrain. The engine itself is a more powerful one, up from 118 to 134 horsepower. It's got a sport mode that will definitely feel peppy. The battery is perhaps more important, as it's increased in capacity from 28 to 38.2 kWh.
The charing capability has also improved, as the Ioniq Electric is fitted standard with a 7.2 kW onboard charger, an upgrade from old 6.6-kW, for Type 2 AC charging. Using a 100-kW fast-charging station, the battery can reach an 80% charge in 54 minutes.
Hyundai believes this is enough for a range of 170 miles versus 124 miles before. It's still no Tesla, but the increase should significantly reduce your range anxiety. Sadly, even after a battery bump, the Ioniq still can't stand out against other affordable EVs like the Nissan Leaf and its own crossover-shaped twins. Let's not forget that the $38,000 Hyundai KONA Electric has 258 miles of range.
For the record, the standard Leaf has a 40 kWh but is slightly less efficient with the power and thus gets slightly lower range. It's cheaper, though, at just $32,525.
The Ioniq's refresh brings with it new jewel-like headlights, still flanking a silver grille. The equipment list of the basic SE includes a new 8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.
But the Limited upgrades to a nicer 10.25-inch navigation, nicer seats, ambient lighting, lane centering, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
But both trim levels get the same powertrain. The engine itself is a more powerful one, up from 118 to 134 horsepower. It's got a sport mode that will definitely feel peppy. The battery is perhaps more important, as it's increased in capacity from 28 to 38.2 kWh.
The charing capability has also improved, as the Ioniq Electric is fitted standard with a 7.2 kW onboard charger, an upgrade from old 6.6-kW, for Type 2 AC charging. Using a 100-kW fast-charging station, the battery can reach an 80% charge in 54 minutes.
Hyundai believes this is enough for a range of 170 miles versus 124 miles before. It's still no Tesla, but the increase should significantly reduce your range anxiety. Sadly, even after a battery bump, the Ioniq still can't stand out against other affordable EVs like the Nissan Leaf and its own crossover-shaped twins. Let's not forget that the $38,000 Hyundai KONA Electric has 258 miles of range.
For the record, the standard Leaf has a 40 kWh but is slightly less efficient with the power and thus gets slightly lower range. It's cheaper, though, at just $32,525.
The Ioniq's refresh brings with it new jewel-like headlights, still flanking a silver grille. The equipment list of the basic SE includes a new 8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.
But the Limited upgrades to a nicer 10.25-inch navigation, nicer seats, ambient lighting, lane centering, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
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